Tag Archives: iPhone 5 Accessory

From carrying cases to toys and gadgets, cool new iPhone 5 accessories are cropping up all the time. But a new Kickstarter project offers up something totally unique, with a GPS system that'll protect your ride. And for cyclists, there can be no doubt that the BikeSpike will be this summer's absolute most important iPhone 5 accessory.

The new gadget works primarily as a GPS tracker, thanks to a native app that works for iOS as well as Android.

Just attach the BikeSpike to your bike and you'll be able to digitally "lock" your bicycle in a geo-fenced location. If it moves, or if someone even tries tampering with it, you'll get a notification on your phone.

And if a thief does manage to get their hands on it, you'll be able to track its location on map, even granting temporary access to law enforcement so they can recover it more quickly.

So far, it's among the best accessories for iPhone 5 or Android designed specifically for cyclists. And it may just become as important to standard bike security as your typical bike lock. And parents will love the safety of being able to monitor their kids when they ride outside of a designated "safe zone."

But there's a lot more to love about this awesome accessory than anti-theft protection and kid safety.

That's because the BikeSpike also works as a performance monitoring tool, logging your distance, speed and calories burned and even keeping track of inclines and routes taken. You can then share your stats to friends by phone.

Plus, if you happen to get in an accident, BikeSpike's collision detection system "can alert key members of your contact list and share the location of an accident."

At PureMobile, we're always on the lookout for the coolest new iPhone 5 accessories. And for anyone who enjoys biking during the summer, the BikeSpike is probably the single most worthwhile iPhone 5 accessory that ever rode on two wheels. Check out the BikeSpike team on Kickstarter or take a look at the video below. (It's pretty funny, actually.)

Dubbed by Mashable as a sort of Swiss Army Knife for smartphones, a new, multi-use iPhone 5 accessory proves that expanding on your phone's functionality goes way beyond apps. Sometimes you need a physical tool, and the new Kickstarter campaign for the XiStera iPhone 5 accessory promises just that.

This nifty, multi-purpose tool works in tons of ways to let you get more out of your iPhone and to make your daily life just a bit easier. As far as iPhone 5 accessories go, the XiStera's got most of what you could desire.

About the size of a wine bottle opener, it works as a multi-position stand for your iPhone, a lens adapter, a wrap for your headphone cord, a tripod mount, and doubles as a stylus and optional LED lighting system. Oh, and it's also a bottle opener and keychain too.

When it's idle, this iPhone 5 accessory neatly attaches to the upper corner of your iPhone, with only about a quarter of the bulk of a regular iPhone 5 case. And it looks like it's going to be pretty affordable too.

Meanwhile, XIStera seems to be eyeing the countless possibilities for optional add-on accessories. And they're already at work on compatible iPhone car mounts and bike mounts, as well as a range of lenses and stylus covers in different colors.

One of the coolest iPhone 5 accessories to come out in so many months, it's no surprse that the XiStera has already reached its initial Kickstarter goal of $19,000 in just three days. They're now pushing toward their second fundraising target of $100,000, and something tells us they'll get there.

It seems every accessories maker out there is working on accessories for iPhone 5 that boost something. There are iPhone cases with external battery to extend your battery life. And now, a new iPhone 5 carrying case from Absolute Tech may just boost your Wi-Fi.

Gizmodo reported this week on Absolute Tech's latest gadget, the Linkase, an iPhone 5 case that's supposed to help you get better Wi-Fi reception on your phone using electro magnetic waveguide (EMW) technology. For users with limited data plans, an iPhone accessory that helps lower overage costs probably sounds like a godsend.

Absolute Tech's Linkase iPhone 5 case in Blue

But Gizmodo isn't totally convinced and here's why. Though Absolute Tech's website runs through an explanation of how this EMW technology works, Gizmodo notes that this is still "a bit of a gray area that seems to border on snake oil."

However, EMW isn't the only reason Absolute Tech says the Linkase works. Rather the accessory also seems to prevent users from covering the iPhone antenna, and even includes and antenna extension. Both of these things should actually help you catch a better signal.

Though whether this iPhone carrying case can boost your Wi-Fi by 50 percent as promised is still up for debate. And at $50 a pop, taking a chance and testing out this iPhone accessory isn't exactly cheap.

As for the other aspects of the Linkase, it does seem to be a thoughtfully designed and well constructed case. WIth a multilayered design, it combines a polycarbonate backing with a raised rubber bevel and non-slip leather coating on the exterior.

With a slim design, and available in some bright colors, it's also pretty attractive (aside from the whole raised antenna thing.)

So would we recommend the Linkase? If it came from a trusted name like Griffin or Incase, we would in a heartbeat. But we're going to have to go with Gizmodo on this, and say that this is one iPhone 5 accessory that needs to be put to the test to see if it really delivers on everything it promises.